Comments on: How can I get past my fear of going out in public places? http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/ Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:07:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: laylakay15 http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-12932 laylakay15 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 00:58:55 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-12932 beaner, i know your comment was written a while ago but i just had to say your story is EXACTLY like mine. the only problem in my case is that i cannot be put on medicine because of past abuse of narcotics so i have been suffering terribly with this for a while now. i cannot leave the house alone, go into a store, or do anything else that involveshuman contact without having severe panic attacks. and it is just getting worse. i am seeing a psychiatrist right now and she is trying to figure out a way to treat me that is safe because i also have bipolar disorder. i dont have any answers or advice to give you right now but when i find things out if i find anything helpful i will let you know. good luck to you! beaner, i know your comment was written a while ago but i just had to say your story is EXACTLY like mine. the only problem in my case is that i cannot be put on medicine because of past abuse of narcotics so i have been suffering terribly with this for a while now. i cannot leave the house alone, go into a store, or do anything else that involveshuman contact without having severe panic attacks. and it is just getting worse. i am seeing a psychiatrist right now and she is trying to figure out a way to treat me that is safe because i also have bipolar disorder. i dont have any answers or advice to give you right now but when i find things out if i find anything helpful i will let you know. good luck to you!

]]> By: beaner http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-8288 beaner Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:27:10 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-8288 I'm researching this agoraphobia for the first time, because I thought I might have it. When I entered high school I was shy, introverted and never wanted to leave the house except for school, (and even then I sometimes faked sick when I thought I just couldn't do it that day) but over the years, and with the help of good friends and social experience, I got over that fear, turned into a bubbly, outgoing person with lots of friends. I'm now 20, don't stay in contact with my friends (which I feel horrible about and don't know why I don't call them anymore..) and it seems like my fear of social situations and going out in public has returned. I gained some weight since I graduated, lost a bit of confidence, but was still going out and doing what I had to throughout the day. Now however, I'm paranoid that everyone is looking at me and of what they think of me and I'm honestly scared to death about doing little things like going to the bank, or to the store, or just leaving my house in general. The only time I want to go outside is at night. Wow, just writing this down and reading it back to myself reassures that yes, I probably do have agoraphobia... I'm trying to get over it, forcing myself to go out and do things, but its difficult, I feel anxious and want to leave as quickly as possible, i start to sweat and my heartbeat goes haywire. Do I have to see a psychologist? Or is there a chance I can work this stupid fear out on my own? I'd really love some good advice. I’m researching this agoraphobia for the first time, because I thought I might have it. When I entered high school I was shy, introverted and never wanted to leave the house except for school, (and even then I sometimes faked sick when I thought I just couldn’t do it that day) but over the years, and with the help of good friends and social experience, I got over that fear, turned into a bubbly, outgoing person with lots of friends. I’m now 20, don’t stay in contact with my friends (which I feel horrible about and don’t know why I don’t call them anymore..) and it seems like my fear of social situations and going out in public has returned. I gained some weight since I graduated, lost a bit of confidence, but was still going out and doing what I had to throughout the day. Now however, I’m paranoid that everyone is looking at me and of what they think of me and I’m honestly scared to death about doing little things like going to the bank, or to the store, or just leaving my house in general. The only time I want to go outside is at night. Wow, just writing this down and reading it back to myself reassures that yes, I probably do have agoraphobia…
I’m trying to get over it, forcing myself to go out and do things, but its difficult, I feel anxious and want to leave as quickly as possible, i start to sweat and my heartbeat goes haywire. Do I have to see a psychologist? Or is there a chance I can work this stupid fear out on my own? I’d really love some good advice.

]]> By: pachl@sbcglobal.net http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-3061 pachl@sbcglobal.net Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:24:28 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-3061 One time, a girl told me she had a fear of singing in public. By coincidence, I happened to be watching a National Geographic video, and I pointed out the African tribal girls unselfconsciously dancing and singing around the fire. I asked, "Do you think any of these girls have this problem?" She found a group in NYC that has a primitive dance class, where they routinely sing too. It cured her forever. Now, regarding your problem. Have you thought about taking an acting class? Some people who are now famous actors were painfully shy as kids, and hence their parents enrolled them in acting classes. When you are in a play, you get to be other people. It is very liberating. If that is too much of a step for you, imagine you are a secret agent, infiltrating a family to get secrets. Imagine one of the members knows something very valuable, and you need to discreetly pry the information out of them. When you're playing someone else, your own self gets a breather. Try it. One time, a girl told me she had a fear of singing in public.

By coincidence, I happened to be watching a National Geographic video, and I pointed out the African tribal girls unselfconsciously dancing and singing around the fire. I asked, “Do you think any of these girls have this problem?”

She found a group in NYC that has a primitive dance class, where they routinely sing too. It cured her forever.

Now, regarding your problem. Have you thought about taking an acting class? Some people who are now famous actors were painfully shy as kids, and hence their parents enrolled them in acting classes. When you are in a play, you get to be other people. It is very liberating.

If that is too much of a step for you, imagine you are a secret agent, infiltrating a family to get secrets. Imagine one of the members knows something very valuable, and you need to discreetly pry the information out of them.

When you’re playing someone else, your own self gets a breather. Try it.

]]> By: xenypoo http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-3060 xenypoo Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:28:26 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-3060 I think I'm your twin. I take Xanax, which helps stop my immediate fear. I take deep breaths every few minutes, as directed I do by my doctor, to calm me, since I am a shallow breather, and the more oxygen intake, the more relaxed you feel, that's why people when having panic attacks are given oxygen right away. Go see your doctor. It sounds like you are having anxiety attacks, just like I do. Try to remember also, that your fears are unreasonable. Talk to yourself, put reason in what you are thinking, ask yourself, what is there to fear? You believe in Jesus Christ, and love Him, yes? He loves you, too, and His presence is with you always to protect you from those things you cannot handle. I should read my own answer over to myself several times until I memorize it! LOL You're doing well, my dear, I haven't been brave enough to ask anthing on this public forum about my condition, so I think you're much more brave than you realize! I think I’m your twin. I take Xanax, which helps stop my immediate fear. I take deep breaths every few minutes, as directed I do by my doctor, to calm me, since I am a shallow breather, and the more oxygen intake, the more relaxed you feel, that’s why people when having panic attacks are given oxygen right away.
Go see your doctor. It sounds like you are having anxiety attacks, just like I do.
Try to remember also, that your fears are unreasonable. Talk to yourself, put reason in what you are thinking, ask yourself, what is there to fear? You believe in Jesus Christ, and love Him, yes? He loves you, too, and His presence is with you always to protect you from those things you cannot handle. I should read my own answer over to myself several times until I memorize it! LOL
You’re doing well, my dear, I haven’t been brave enough to ask anthing on this public forum about my condition, so I think you’re much more brave than you realize!

]]> By: abeneissa http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-3059 abeneissa Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:58:56 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-3059 I thing this is kind of schizophrenia ,and disturbances of self confidence . you fear from the others,because they may discover some thing bad in your personality or something like.That is why you avoid to contact them, are you famous. I thing this is kind of schizophrenia ,and disturbances of self confidence . you fear from the others,because they may discover some thing bad in your personality or something like.That is why you avoid to contact them, are you famous.

]]> By: Hot Velma http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-3058 Hot Velma Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:17:41 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-3058 My brother is on medication for this condition. However, I do not think you are the type to put chemicals in your body? Just start slow and small. You do not have to go out to every gathering, nor do you have to stay the entire time. But slowly add more events and try to stay longer. Think of an excuse ahead of time to get yourself out, and tell yourself you can use it at any time - just not every time. It helps to have a back-up plan! Good luck :) My brother is on medication for this condition. However, I do not think you are the type to put chemicals in your body? Just start slow and small. You do not have to go out to every gathering, nor do you have to stay the entire time. But slowly add more events and try to stay longer. Think of an excuse ahead of time to get yourself out, and tell yourself you can use it at any time – just not every time. It helps to have a back-up plan!

Good luck :)

]]> By: Hotdivababe http://fearmost.com/2010/04/how-can-i-get-past-my-fear-of-going-out-in-public-places/comment-page-1/#comment-3057 Hotdivababe Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:21:03 +0000 http://fearmost.com/?p=1640#comment-3057 Join a club or group that interests you. Join a club or group that interests you.

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